Drivers Say Trophy Important As The Check In Thunder Road Harley-Davidson 200 At South Boston Speedway Friday

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When it comes to this Friday’s Thunder Road Harley-Davidson 200 at South Boston Speedway forget about all the extra money added to the purse. Late Model Stock drivers say this is one race where hoisting the trophy in Victory Lane is as important as cashing the check.

“This is really a big event. There’s a lot of excitement around it,” said Matt Bowling, who has won four times at South Boston this season and leads the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series national points race. “Every driver brings their best to this race which makes it really tough to win. I’ve finished second in it twice, so I really want to make it happen this time.”

Racing is at the heart of Friday’s big pre-July 4th event but there will be lots of other cool things going on.

Crystal Day, Nashville recording artist and South Boston native, will perform patriotic songs during the on-track Fan Appreciation event before the race. There will be the spectacular postrace fireworks display that has become a tradition at South Boston.

And of course there are the added bonuses for the drivers that have caught the attention of so many competitors in the region. The Late Model field will be gunning for $3,000 in bonus money on top of the $5,000 to-win in the longest race of the season. In addition, the Limited Sportsman pole winner will receive a $300 bonus and the Budweiser Pure Stock pole winner will receive a $100 bonus.

The winner of the Budweiser Pure Stock race will be awarded the Clark Daniel Memorial Trophy in honor of the long-time Pure Stock supporter who died earlier this year.

“I’d say this is the biggest race of the year beside the big Martinsville race in the fall,” said Bobby McCarty, who has one South Boston win this season and is sixth in points. “With the crowd and the fireworks, this is the one all the drivers definitely look forward to.”

Peyton Sellers understands the importance of Friday’s pre-July 4th race. He won it back in 2005, the year he captured the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series national championship. He’s still looking for a second win in the prestigious race.

“This race is a great way to measure your progress. It’s the midway point for everyone and you’ve got guys getting better each week and guys that have leveled out for whatever reason,” said Sellers, winless at South Boston this year, but fourth in points. “It’s one of our few shots at a 200-lapper to prepare for big races later in the year. It should be a good opportunity for the fans to see some fireworks on and off the track.”

Friday’s race is the longest and richest Late Model race of the year at South Boston Speedway and headlines a four-race card. The night’s action will also include a 100-lap Limited Sportsman Division race, a 50-lap race for the Budweiser Pure Stock Division and a 15-lap race for the Budweiser Hornets Division.

Immediately following the final race of the night, fans will witness the largest fireworks display in the area.

Advance tickets are $15 and will be available at the South Boston Speedway office until 5 p.m. on Thursday, June 30. Tickets at the gate on race day will be $20 for adults and $10 for youth ages 7-12. Kids ages six and under will be admitted free with a paid adult.

Grandstand gates will open at 4:30 p.m. and the first race of the night will get the green flag at 7 p.m.

SBS PR

Speedway Digest Staff
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